Picton may have dodged a bullet but the torrential rain and flash-flooding across Wollondilly Shire has battered its huge road network.
Council says crews have been working around the clock to patch up the damage in some very challenging conditions to ensure the safety of residents.
Extra crews have now been mobilised for “make safe’’ repairs, while council says it is planning a massive patch and reconstruction program to be rolled out urgently.
“Council has been working hard to improve our road network over recent years, but this storm has been a massive setback,” says Wollondilly mayor Robert Khan.
“We have a huge task ahead, we have multiple roads and bridges closed and a huge amount of debris that needs clearing around the Shire.
“Additional crews have been put on to assist with all the repairs across the Shire so we can make the roads as safe as possible.
“Right now our main priority is the safety of our community,’’ Cr Khan said.
“Council has over 870km of roads and it is an enormously complex and expensive task maintaining these roads. But council is up to the task and our team is working hard to fix our roads and we continue to spend every dollar we can fixing them,’’ he said.
“Our operational crews do a fantastic job in all sorts of weather and I’m incredibly grateful for everything they do.
“The next stage is a massive patch and reconstruction program, prioritising those areas that have been hit the hardest and carry the most traffic. Our great engineering teams are working hard on a plan now that we will roll out urgently,’’ he said.
Wollondilly Council says it will also be updating its road program this year to ensure the highest priority roads are done first.
“The councillors and I have spoken to the CEO and have asked that an urgent road recovery plan be brought forward,’’ Cr Khan said.
“The reality is it’s going to take money and time to fix the damage, but know that we’re onto it.”
Council is also encouraging all residents to report any potholes or damage.
